GK One-Liners

What: India’s peak power demand reached a record 245 Gigawatts (GW) on 9 January 2026, surpassing the previous summer 2025 peak of 242 GW. This unusual winter surge was driven by extreme cold conditions in northern India, increased heating appliance usage, and robust industrial activity during the post-festive period.

How: The national grid, managed by the Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO) under the Grid Controller of India, balanced supply through coal-based thermal plants (largest share), hydro, gas, nuclear, and renewable sources. Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) corridors enabled power transfer from surplus to deficit regions. Battery storage and demand-side management also played supporting roles.

Why: Power sector statistics are crucial for UPSC GS3 (Infrastructure and Energy). Questions cover India’s installed capacity (over 440 GW), energy mix, peak demand management, and the 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030. The unusual winter peak breaking summer records reflects climate variability’s impact on energy planning—a potential Mains essay theme.

What: India’s fish production has reached approximately 198 lakh tonnes (19.8 million tonnes) in 2024-25, registering a 106% increase over the past decade. India is now the world’s second-largest fish producer after China and the fourth-largest exporter of fish and fishery products globally.

How: Growth is driven by the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) launched in 2020 with Rs 20,050 crore investment for infrastructure, cold chains, and deep-sea fishing vessels. Inland aquaculture contributes about 70% of total production, with Andhra Pradesh leading. Marine fisheries benefit from the Sagar Mitras programme and fishing harbour modernisation under the Blue Economy initiative.

Why: Fisheries is a high-yield topic for UPSC GS3 (Agriculture and Allied Sectors). Questions cover PMMSY objectives, Fisheries Department under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Blue Revolution targets. India’s position as 2nd largest producer and aquaculture dominance are key facts. The sector provides livelihood to 28 million fishers and contributes about 1.2% to GDP.

What: Global oceans absorbed a record +23 zettajoules of heat energy in 2025, the highest since systematic measurements began in the 1960s. Oceans absorb approximately 90% of excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases, making Ocean Heat Content (OHC) a critical climate indicator alongside surface temperatures.

How: Heat accumulates primarily in the upper 2,000 metres of the ocean, measured by the Argo float network of over 4,000 autonomous profiling instruments. Rising OHC drives thermal expansion (contributing to sea-level rise), intensifies tropical cyclones by providing more energy, disrupts marine ecosystems through coral bleaching, and affects ocean circulation patterns including the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).

Why: Ocean-climate linkages are increasingly important for UPSC Environment and GS1 (Geography). Questions may cover ocean heat content, thermal expansion vs ice melt contributions to sea-level rise, coral bleaching mechanisms, and climate feedback loops. The 90% heat absorption fact is a frequently tested statistic. Marine heatwaves and their impact on fisheries connect to GS3 economy themes.

What: The Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module has experienced a significant orbital shift due to lunar gravitational perturbations, with its apogee (farthest point from Earth) rising to approximately 727,000 km. This phenomenon is attributed to the three-body problem effect involving Earth, Moon, and the spacecraft.

How: The three-body problem describes the complex gravitational interactions between three celestial bodies, which cannot be solved analytically and leads to chaotic, unpredictable orbital behaviour. The propulsion module, left in lunar orbit after deploying the Vikram lander in August 2023, is being pulled by both Earth’s and Moon’s gravity. Lagrange points and gravitational assists utilise similar multi-body dynamics.

Why: ISRO missions are perennial favourites in UPSC Science & Technology. Questions may cover Chandrayaan-3 objectives (soft landing at lunar south pole), spacecraft components (propulsion module, lander Vikram, rover Pragyan), and orbital mechanics concepts. The three-body problem also connects to mathematics and physics questions in science papers. Understanding gravitational perturbations is relevant for satellite mission planning.

What: The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-India) has strengthened Know Your Customer (KYC) norms for cryptocurrency and Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs). VDAs are taxed at 30% on capital gains plus 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on transfers. The new framework mandates DigiLocker-based identity verification for enhanced compliance.

How: FIU-India, under the Ministry of Finance, is India’s central agency for receiving, processing, and disseminating financial intelligence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. VDA exchanges must register as Reporting Entities and file Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs). The 30% tax (introduced in Budget 2022) applies regardless of profit or loss, with no set-off against other income. The 1% TDS ensures transaction trail visibility.

Why: Cryptocurrency regulation is a dynamic topic for banking exams and UPSC GS3 (Economy). Questions cover FIU-India’s role, VDA taxation framework, and regulatory stance (RBI has expressed concerns while government permits trading with taxation). The distinction between crypto assets and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC/e-Rupee) is frequently tested. DigiLocker integration reflects Digital India’s identity verification ecosystem.

What: A 90-day wildlife census has begun at Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar, the state’s largest protected area spanning over 1,500 square kilometres. The census is a prerequisite for the sanctuary’s potential upgrade to Tiger Reserve status, which would bring additional funding and conservation protocols.

How: Wildlife censuses employ camera traps, pugmark tracking, scat analysis, and transect surveys to estimate population densities. Tiger Reserve declaration requires evidence of viable tiger population or habitat connectivity to existing tiger landscapes. Kaimur’s Vindhyan hills connect to Madhya Pradesh’s tiger habitats. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under Project Tiger evaluates proposals based on census data and habitat quality assessments.

Why: Protected area classifications are important for UPSC Environment. Students should know the hierarchy: National Parks (strictest protection) > Wildlife Sanctuaries > Conservation Reserves > Community Reserves. Tiger Reserve is an administrative overlay under Project Tiger (launched 1973). Bihar currently has Valmiki Tiger Reserve as its only tiger reserve. Questions may cover NTCA, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and state-wise protected areas.